Siegle shares message of hope, productivity

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, August 26, 2008

It was a coming home of sorts for five days earlier this month when Pelican Rapids native Judy Siegle took part in a Joni and Friends retreat for disabled people and family members. The gathering was held at the Young Life Castaway Club at Pelican Lake.

The objective of Joni and Friends is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways.

“I’m here as a volunteer, as are my parents, Al and Fay Siegle,” she said on Friday, Aug. 16. “Joni and Friends is a very special organization — extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability, whether it’s the disabled person, a family member, or friend.”

Siegle is a Paralympian who for several years has given motivational and informational lectures. She’s the author of “Living Without Limits: Ten Keys to Unlocking the Champion in You,” about living with disabilities and having the will to lead a productive life.

The Castaway Club northeast of Pelican Rapids is one of Young Life’s 25 camps in the United States and Canada. Young Life is a non-denominational, Christian organization that is committed to spreading the Gospel to high school and middle school kids across the world.

Castaway Club is nestled between two lakes, with Big Pelican Lake to the west and Little Pelican Lake to the east. Visitors experience some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets that Otter Tail County has to offer.

This is the third summer that Joni and Friends has organized a gathering at Castaway. The first year, in 2006, the gathering was small with just six families attending for one weekend. Last summer 23 families participated for four days and this summer 40 families were in attendance for the five days in August.

“We’re doing more and more to make this event accessible to as many families as possible,” said coordinator Katy Thuleen, manager of the Joni and Friends Minneapolis office whose son, Andy, also worked as a volunteer as Castaway. “Having Judy, Andy and so many other able volunteers make these retreats possible.”

Siegle, who formerly worked at MeritCare in Fargo, was recently hired as the Director of Women's Ministry at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo.

“This will be a nice blend with the speaking that I still love to do,” she said.

The goal at the five-day retreat earlier this month at Castaway near Pelican Rapids was to show support for families of disabled individuals who, according to Thuleen, “are in a 24-7 situation year-round. People need a respite from time to time and need to hear words of encouragement.”

Siegle has been a volunteer with Joni and Friends since 1998.

“Being associated with this wonderful organization for past 10 years has been both enjoyable and rewarding,” she said, “since Joni and Friends does so much good for so many people.”

Since 1991 Joni and Friends Family Retreats has hosted five-day summer programs across the United States where families affected by disability can find hope and get a break from the challenges of everyday life. There are also opportunities to help support Family Retreats and find referrals to other camps and conferences that serve families affected by disability.

Grants are available for attendance at the family retreats, including the one each summer at Castaway.

“Joni and Friends’ programs and activities are made possible through the efforts of thousands of volunteer ‘friends’ who volunteer their time and talents to serve people affected by disability,” Thuleen said. “We couldn’t continue the excellent and vital work that they do, every day, without the love and dedication of Judy Siegle and others like her.”

Those wishing to take part in the 2009 retreat can call 763-533-3473; email minneapolis@joniandfriends.org and website is http://minneapolis.joniandfriends.org